Shelf for refrigerator-cars



(No Model.)

B. H. WATERS.

SHELF FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS.

Patented June 5,1888.

Ira/awn QFMRW. Wm.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. j

ROBERT H. WATERS, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE POST I REFRIGERATOR OAR COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

SHELF FOR REFRIGERATOR-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iatent No. 278,757, dated June 5, 1883.

Applicationfiled October 27,1882. (N0 model.)

T0 at whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, ROBERT H. WATERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shelves for Refrigerator-Oars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying.drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to railway refrigerator-cars for the transportation of dressed meats, especially ribs and loins of beef, or other perishable edibles; and it consists in a car provided with aseries of shelves, each of which is capable of expansion or contraction. The shelf is constructed of pivoted lattice work and is hinged at rear to the side of the car, as hereinafter explained.

Figure 1 represents an interior perspective view of a part of a car provided with my improved shelves, and Fig. 2 represents a plan view of one of said shelves folded up.

In these drawings, A represents a portion of a railway refrigerator-car adapted to the transportation of ribs, loins, &c., or other meat. B B, 820., represent a series of shelves arranged one above the other, such shelves being to receive the said ribs or loins of beef or other meat, game, 8:0. Each shelf is composed of pivoted lattice-work-hence capable of lateral expansion or contraction. Each shelf at the side of the car is hinged at rear to the wall of the car in such manner as to be turned up against such wall. Each shelf at the side of the car is further provided with rods or sup ports a a, &c., which rest, when the shelf to which they are attached is extended, upon the next shelf below, thereby forming unitedly a firm and sufficient support for any weight that may be placed on any individual shelf. My 1 beef the entire series of shelves are first turned down into a horizontal position and then extended or unfolded laterally, when they are in condition to receive their deposits. \Vhen the car-is empty the shelves are contracted and folded and turned up against the wall of the car, a button or hook or other contrivance being employed to retain the shelves in an upright position. When the side bars of a frame are forced together the transverse bars, which make up the lattice, turn on their pivots after the manner of closing lazy-tongs. When the side bars are pulled apart the operation is reversed.

By means of my folding shelves the interior of the car, when empty, is comparatively unobstructed.

I claim- I. A railway car containing a" series of shelves capable of lateral expansion or contraction in themselves and hinged at rear to. the wall of the car, substantially as explained.

A shelf adapted to be expanded or contracted laterally and hinged to the wall which supports it, substantially as stated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT HENRY XVATERS.

Vitnesses:

H. E. Loncn, F. GURrIs. 

